beckyfitz Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Have a longing to get some of these gorgeous birds in either colour - does anyone have any? I have read they can be more troublesome than other breeds to keep. I'd like to try hatching some but not easy to get hold of eggs, & also as they are tricky to breed not sure about the success rate. Be grateful to hear any advice from those in the 'know', especially any recommendations for acquiring hatching eggs. Becky x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 A couple of members have these I think they are pretty diddy and not really suitable to keep with anything bigger than say a Dutch bantam they can also be surprisingly agressive to each other I'd recommend contacting the Sebright club for a list of breeders, these birds can be popular with the 'get rich quick' backyard breeder can be of dubious quality a lot of the time They are also very prone to Mareks disease so ensure that your breeder is knowledgable about this - the ideal is that they have developed a resistant flock, the good is if they at least vaccinate, if they are not knowledgeable then walk away especially if you have other birds Avoid ebay for eggs unless you message the seller and test their knowledge, hatch rates can be poor so posted eggs may not be the way to go. Choose a good breeder and go and visit them if you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Definitely wouldn't reccomend this breed to a novice. They are lovely little birds &, as Redwing said, they shouldn't really be kept with anything but True Bantams (Pekins, Dutch, Belgians etc.). The cockerels can get quite feisty and they are so prone to Mareks it really isn't worth the risk mixing them with un-vaccinated birds of different breeds. They aren't the best birds to breed from due to a lack of fertility and eggs! They are lovely birds to own though, pottering about in the garden in all their feathery glory. But not in a mixed flock where they will just be bullied and could bring in unwanted diseases. Sorry to sound so negative but don't want you to make the wrong decision and everything go pear shaped If you think you would like to give them a go then think about setting up a small coop and run and get yourself a couple of hens older than a year so they aren't still at risk from Mareks (although may still carry it, so don't mix with younger birds) and keep them separate from the rest of your girls. Try the Sebright club for some hens, they are very helpful If you need any more advice then drop me a PM Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Well I've got just the one, got her as a young un' not quite POL from Temple Newsam where the Sebrights free range with all the other big girls - Sussex, etc. She'd been closely raised with all the other same-aged chooks and when i asked about free ranging them with bigger girls I was told they are just chickens after all, they don't know they're little! My Min is best friends with our Scots Dumpy. They are delicate to hatch and rear from young, and it would they do need extra warmth in the winter (Min roosts under her mates in the nesting box of the cube) but as to introductions and free ranging her - she's just one of the gang. I do think the fact that she was introduced within a small flock of LF made a difference to the introduction to the main flock though. My cats don't even notice her, although they'd happily stalk a pigeon bigger than her. I love sebrights and would add more to the flock, their eggs are bigger than you'd think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have to say I'm tempted after meeting a trio a few weeks ago. Laurmurf, you are so encouraging - but the comments about Marek's are worrying so I'll sit on the fence a bit longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have 2 silver Sebright hens, which I got from the Wernlas Collection at POL. I had heard that they were difficult birds, but have to say that I have had no problems with them at all. They are quite aggressive - and it is very funny to see them bossing around Kristina, my huge chocolate orpington, who is terrified of them - and they are very good fliers. They live very happily with my flock of big girls, who mostly ignore them, as I felt that they were too feisty to live with my soppy bantams. They are very friendly little birds, always chatting to me when I am cleaning out the eglus, and are absolutely devoted to each other. They don't lay very often but, as laurmurf says, their eggs are bigger than you would imagine. I love them and, if you are really keen to get some, I would advise you to ring Wernlas and have a chat to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckyfitz Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks for your views. I was thinking if I got some bantams they would have a run of their own, away from my layers & Ducks. However, I'm keen to have a go at hatching this year so am going to have a go with some hybrids, I've hatched before with my Nursery class but not for myself & have a good local breeder who will give me some eggs. Pure breeds are probably a bit ambitious! But its definitely in my plan to get some pure breeds & I do love the Sebrights so they will go on my wish list for next year maybe! Becky x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Its easy to hatch most pure breed eggs In fact you'd struggle to find hybrid hatching eggs Some of the other 'true' bantams are very hardy - Pekins and Dutch bantams are good bets Of course there are the heavier bantams which are also lovely - Wyandottes, Sussex, Rhode Island Red and Faverolles are all very nice Dont be put off - you just latched on to one of the trickier bantams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
